A last-minute decision to compete paid off for Daniel Simiu, who became the first athlete to defend the Absa Sirikwa Classic Cross Country title at the Lobo Village, Uasin Gishu on Saturday.
“I saw my images and name on the event’s advertising posters and that made me change my mind…I am happy to make history here,” said Simiu, the 2023 World Half Marathon and 2023 world 10,000m silver medallist.
Simiu, who is also the 2022 Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medallist, unleashed his front running style trademark, sweeping the afternoon scorching course in 29 minutes and 57 seconds to keep his title.
“This is part of my preparations for my second marathon appearance next month in South Korea. Cross country has always shaped my season but I am going back to refine further ahead of my next race,” said Simiu, who will compete at the Seoul Marathon scheduled for March 16 in the Korean capital.
Simiu, 29, staged his marathon debut in Chicago in October last year where he finished fifth in two hours, 06 minutes and 04 seconds as compatriot John Korir won in 2:02:44.
“I believe I can still do well but competing in marathons isn’t easy. It needs serious preparations,” said Simiu, who beat Gideon Ronoh to second place in 30:07 as Nicholas Kimeli settled third in 30:15.
“I experienced some stitches in the initial stages and I had to start chasing the leading pack to settle second,” said Ronoh.
The national junior champion Kevin Kiprop Biwott sealed a double of World Gold Tour, winning the men's under-20 8km race in 24:24, over who needed 29 minutes and 57 seconds to defend his title cheered by an estimated 15,000 fans.
It was a pulsating battle of foursomes at the front but it’s Kiprop, who prevailed leaving three of his rivals to go through in a thrilling photo-finish. Franklin Chebet, Festus Kimorwo and Emmanuel Kipkorir clocked 24:27 to finish in that order.
“This is all by the grace of God, winning the national title and two world gold label races,” said Kiprop, who won the national title on February 8 at the Eldoret Sports Club.
Kiprop, a form four student at Sinonin High School, is now planning a double assault in 1500m and 5000m at the world championships later this year.
The 2023 world under-20 1,500m champion Reynold Cheruiyot put away the men’s 2km race in 6:01 while Phanuel Koech came in second, a second off the pace with Franklin Kimutai clicking 6:04 for third place.
National Cross Country Championships
“The track season is just around the corner and this is part of my preparations as far as my endurance and speed are concerned,” said Cheruiyot, who claimed second place over the same distance at the National Cross Country Championships on February 8 at Eldoret, losing the battle to Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
Cheruiyot said his ultimate target is to medal at the World Athletics Championships scheduled for September 13 to 21 this year in Tokyo, Japan.
Daniel Simiu leads the field of senior men's 10km race on his way to victory during the 4th edition of Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour at Lobo Village in Kapseret, Uasin Gishu County on February 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
“I didn’t perform well at the previous world championships in 2023 and I hope for good tidings in Tokyo,” said Cheruiyot, who settled eighth in 1,500m at the 2023 world championships in 2023 Budapest, Hungary.
Cheruiyot, who trains in Nyahururu, is the 2022 world under-20 1,500m champion as well as the 2024 world cross country under-20 gold medalist.
“It was a tough race but I had prepared well. It’s a good start for my preparations ahead of the world championships trials,” said Koech.
Shadrack Kibiwott, a grade nine pupil from Metipso Junior School, won the 13-15 years 2km boys’ race, beating Solomon Kibet, a grade seven pupil at Tegla Loroupe School and Cleophas Koromon respectively.
Kitany Primary School’s Amon Kipchirchir won boys’ 9-12 years 1km, beating Victor Kibet from Chororget Primary School and Keneroi Primary School’s Fidel Kabargeti.
